The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has apprehended 36 scavengers over alleged possession of illicit drugs and weapons in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The commandant of the NSCDC FCT command, Olusola Odumosu, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja, saying the suspects were caught in various areas of the FCT.
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike had prohibited activities of scavengers and suspended operations of pan-takers across the city for two weeks.
Mr Odumosu said items allegedly recovered from the suspects included four daggers, three Jack knives, two chisels and three knives.
Others are narcotic drugs, ten bottles of codeine syrup, 45 wraps of cannabis sativa, trash bags, and pieces of iron rods.
“The suspects are currently being investigated and profiled, and I will ensure that due diligence is followed in their prosecution,” Mr Odumosu assured.
The corps commandant advised FCT residents to dispose refuse through the appropriate waste management companies and stop patronising scavengers, popularly called “Baba Nbola”, for safety.
He said their detention was necessitated to nip vandalism and theft of public infrastructure such as manhole covers, streetlights, solar panels, armoured cables and other assets in the bud.
Mr Odumosu said the suspects roam the streets of the FCT, perpetrating all forms of criminal activities under the guise of scavenging.
“Most of these scavengers are dangerous elements that must be flushed out of the FCT if we want crime to abate.
“The public should note that, although they appear innocent, harmless and vulnerable, most of them are extremely dangerous, their activities are criminal in nature, and they constitute threats to the nation.
“They go about the nooks and crannies of the city scavenging for plastics, scrap metals and irons, but from previous arrests, interrogations and investigations, we realised that their real business is to vandalise infrastructure.
“This has resulted in the untimely death and maiming of many innocent Nigerians,” he said.
The commandant further said investigations also revealed that the scavengers serve as informants to criminals.
“They also assess and profile you through the kind of household waste products you dispose of, which in most cases reveals your status and lifestyles,” he said.
Mr Odumosu urged residents to join hands with the corps and other security agencies to flush out these dangerous elements in the FCT.
“Chase scavengers away whenever you see them in front of your houses, streets, neighbourhoods or estates.
“Give us relevant information about any suspicious movements or activities of these criminal scavengers who have been restricted to operate at dump sites only,” the commandant said.